A lot of Nigerians love to drink soaked garri on the daily without really thinking about the consequences. Today, we are going to explore whether there are any consequences of drinking garri during pregnancy. That way, you will know for sure if you need to stay away from your favourite drink while you are pregnant.
Garri is a staple food in many Nigerian households, known for its versatility and affordability. Made from the cassava plant, it can be enjoyed in various forms, such as in drinks or cooked dishes. However, it is essential to understand the potential risks associated with consuming garri, especially for pregnant women who need to be particularly cautious about their dietary choices.
Despite its popularity, garri is not without its dangers. The cassava used to make garri contains compounds that can be harmful if not processed correctly. During pregnancy, the stakes are even higher, as what a mother consumes can directly impact the health of her unborn child. This article will provide insights into what garri is, its nutritional value, and the safety concerns associated with drinking it during pregnancy.
What is Garri?
So what exactly is garri? Well, this word is usually used to describe a ground powdery substance made from cassava plants. The name ‘garri’ comes from a Hausa word garin, which means ‘grain’. It is actually a very popular foodstuff in Hausaland, as people enjoy it in all ways. You can have raw garri in a drink by mixing it with water, sugar, and milk, chew on the garri grains, or cook it. Igbo people know cooked garri as utara, while Yoruba people call it eba/teba.
Even though it is a staple food for many people in Africa, consuming too much garri is not a very good thing. As cassava used for making garri contains hydrocyanic acid (in other words, cyanide), one should not consume it if it is not properly processed. In such cases, the effect of drinking garri will be mostly negative, as it might cause intestinal issues, worsening of ulcers, and serious eye defects.
This leads to the question…
Is Drinking Garri Good for a Pregnant Woman?
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Many expectant mothers enjoy drinking garri first thing in the morning or in the evenings, as its sour taste prevents them from vomiting. But should they actually be drinking it? According to Mr. Razak Adeofalade, the chairperson of the Health Workers’ Union of the Lagos State Council, drinking raw soaked garri is not a very good idea, especially during pregnancy. In addition to what we have said before about consuming improperly processed garri, it might also lead to Lassa fever.
Back in 2016, many Nigerians, including several pregnant women, suffered severely from the outbreak of this fever, and some even died from it. The Lassa fever was transmitted by rats who came into contact with cassava. Thus, drinking raw soaked garri led to contracting the fever and several fatalities.
If you want to avoid such fate, it is best to stay away from drinking garri during pregnancy. If you still want to have garri in your diet, make sure it is thoroughly processed. You can still eat it in the form of utara/eba, as long as you cook it properly.
As pregnancy is already a very stressful time for anyone involved, you should avoid adding more stress for yourself by worrying whether it is safe to consume something or not. If you are hesitant about anything, the best way to ease your worries is to ask a doctor about it.
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Source: Legit.ng
